Trend watch: New scented candles

Drawing on the richness of Tahitian vanilla, which is more floral than its South American counterpart, this fruity candle allows you to take a mental vacation in a nonobvious way (imagine sipping a tropical rum drink, as opposed to being slathered in coconut sunscreen). Handmade in Portland, Oregon, its fuchsia soy wax provides a decorative jolt of color, and promises 50 hours of burn time (although it seemed to melt quicker than other votives we tried). Pacifica Island Vanilla soy candle, $16, at Whole Foods Market, locations throughout the city; visit wholefoodsmarket.com

Sensitive noses will appreciate the subtlety of this vegetable and beeswax candle, whose calming lavender and woodsy pine fragrance is incredibly mild (in fact, the strongest aroma of eucalyptus only reveals itself when the flame is extinguished). Nevertheless, it manages to mimic the soothing effects of a nature walk and casts a gorgeous soft peach glow. After you’ve exhausted the taper’s 45 hours’ worth of burn time, the sizable, cylindrical frosted-glass container makes an ideal canister for storing makeup brushes. Caldrea Lavender Pine candle, $20, at Union Market, locations throughout the city; visit unionmarket.com

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The minty-fresh aroma of this candy cane–scented soy candle is so potent, you’ll feel as if you’ve just brushed your teeth merely by being near it. New Yorker Angela Jia Kim uses essential oils to create aromatherapeutic fragrances (peppermint is said to invigorate and uplift) for her votives, which glow up to 40 hours. The smell isn’t the only refreshing and clean thing about the product: The tall glass vessel comes with minimal packaging, featuring only a reusable fitted silver lid for easy storage. Om Aroma & Co. Live & Laugh Peppermint Aromatherapy soy candle, $30, at Savor Spa, 327 W 11th St at Greenwich St (212-304-2887, omaroma.com)

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Although the patterned, bow-bedecked box seems tailor-made for gift giving, you’ll want to keep this luxurious candle for yourself. Delicate floral notes of jasmine and lily play to the background of warm vanilla, creating a balanced, yummy scent reminiscent of buttercream frosting. For an opulent touch, the cylindrical vessel features a metallic damask pattern, which truly pops when the votive is illuminated (lasts up to 40 hours). Elemis The Royal Candle, $48, at timetospa.com

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Meant to evoke an English garden with its soft floral notes of rose petals, peony and geranium, this romantic soy-blend candle’s powdery scent reminds us of finding an old perfumed piece of paper whose aroma gently lingers on years later. Even the square, textured-glass jar’s gradated pink hue and ceramic lid, featuring a 3-D rose, is lovely and feminine—you’ll want to keep the vessel around as a decorative objet long after the votive’s 60-hour life is spent. Royal Apothic Conservatory Collection candle in English Rose, $26, at Anthropologie, locations throughout the city; visit anthropologie.com

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You’ll always be prepared for blackouts with this girthy candle, which weighs more than a pound, lasts 60 hours (though we’d venture more) and boasts three cotton wicks that emit enough light to warrant wearing sunglasses. Its light, citrusy-sweet freshness is intended to capture the aroma of the grape flowers that bloom for a few days in June on wine-derived beauty brand Caudalie’s French vineyards. Indeed, your mind will be transported to crisp spring days even if you’re holed up inside a dark apartment. Caudalie Large Fleur de Vigne candle, $95, at Caudalie Vinothérapie Spa, 1 W 58th St between Fifth and Sixth Aves (212-265-3182)

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There’s something undoubtedly romantic about the subtle glow cast from these petite scalloped-glass vessels, which are designed for travel but ideal for tucking into the nooks and crannies of NYC apartments. Despite their small size, the hand-poured candles slowly burn for an impressive 30 hours, each releasing a distinct perfume that corresponds to one of Tocca’s 14 signature scents. Our favorites are Bianca, which has a clean lemon fizziness, and Giulietta, a girly floral blend of sweet green apple and tulips. Tocca Candelina travel-size candles, $20 each, at Bluemercury, 865 Broadway between 17th and 18th Sts (212-243-8100, bluemercury.com)

For those times when you can’t make it to the spa, these recently launched scented and aromatherapy candles help you re-create the relaxing ambience at home. Whether you like fresh, floral, sweet or woodsy scents, there’s something for all tastes from brands such as Tocca, Caudalie, Om Aroma & Co. and Atelier Cologne.
Follow Cristina Velocci on Twitter: @cvelocci